JawsOrca

Agree too. I don't understand that. We always started from Brundall. It was always last night in surlingham broad and allowed for a little tearful drive back on the morning.

Lol mm .. i like that thinking... that may also teach them to refuse to wear a jacket too.. hmm.. good tips all though.

Sorry guys we are on the way up and we are bringing on big thunderstorm up with us. Should be there in a couple of hours. Sorry.

Sadly for us Mark, Brundall is miles out of the way and we've only made our way over there a couple of times, I could get my folks to collect stuff for me (but its a bit of hassle). We have Jeckles closer at Oulton Broad which aren't too bad. I do like BW though and do use them where I can and needless to say the service with them is amazing and worth the extra couple of quid alone, but my chandlers here in medway do price match against F4 so try your luck

Hi Mark, I'll probably go for this one.. http://www.force4.co.uk/department/safety/man-overboard/lifebuoys-rescue-slings/force-4-horseshoe-lifebuoy-yellow.html#.VXrFo9LBzRY£22.95 + £5 postage. I don't need the name printed on it will probably have to hide behind the door or something. Although I like to shop local to either Norfolk or here, if the price is a long way off then I'd rather save and use the bit saved on a pint or two of wherry... (Jonzo we need to get Woodfordes as a sponsor!).

All, I will be ordered a horseshoe buoy today .. just need to find a home for it as we don't have a pushpit rail.. hmm... I'll make sure it has a floating line too.. I seem to remember that we have a throw line somewhere already although it's probably not on the boat! When we had the sailing boat I did make the wearing of jackets mandatory whilst the boat was in motion/mooring up and the crew never argued. I must admit on this boat the crew refuse to.. although I don't wear mine either so can't really demand! I totally agree though they should be worn. I will be enforcing the law that whilst on Breydon and mooring around Yarmouth and Reedham (if we ever moor there) they will be worn though.. and I need to be stricter if it's raining and Icy (wish me luck).

Well said Steve. The t&c's of the canal rescue service are a bit strange..(http://www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk/breakdown-cover/terms-and-conditions/) They read that they will only tow upto 2 hours (which will be pointless if you are based in the south and breakdown in the north), no towing on tidal rivers(!). It also states it 48 hours to arrange that.. after 2 hours I'm going to be fed up.. (Sorry Steve you may have a better policy though). Once again I do think there's a big gap in this cover on the broads and surprised it's not been filled.. I think you guys all need to get together and do a association.. as the hire fleet reduces and private ownership increases surely it's natural progression for you? You must have the boats and the staffing there to do it already.

Hi All.. At present we don't have means of MOB recovery systems. I'm not quite sure why it was missed but it was.. I'm just wondering though how useful either would be on the broads (Remembering we are based on the southern broads), where the current and winds are an issue .. Would such thing just pointlessly blow away? I remember that both are intended to be used in an area where the boat should make a turn around the MOB as so the person can grab but thats clearly not going to happen. Any thoughts? http://marinestore.co.uk/CS1320-SLING.html- MOB Sling or http://www.force4.co.uk/department/safety/man-overboard/lifebuoys-rescue-slings/force-4-horseshoe-lifebuoy-yellow.html?? To be honest I don't really want one as I want to be able to grab one and not hestiate thinking which one to grab? (I'm aiming towards the MOB sling?)

Good luck from me.. I hope it's a hugely successful day and you all raise lots!

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/norwich_city_council_needs_your_help_for_ideas_in_the_river_wensum_strategy_1_4107641 How can it be improved? - Put a proper fence around the YS to make it a bit more secure. - Allow for additional moorings around the city and not just at the YS (although last time I went up people were mooring further downstream. Anymore.. Compared to Medway towns it's not too sad

Yup please stay away from the "nude boating" post.. The "View new content" button is currently being blocked by my works "Porn filters"... dread to think what is being discussed...

I suspect this is a free boat, I was going to ask the chaps in the office but forgot to. I believe boats positioned here are repo's so there probably is no owner and I'm sure sentinal or the BA would be pleased to see it go. If anyone wants this boat I would suggest you ask the harbour master if it's for grabs. Naturally you need to assume the running gear is all dead and it would be a refit. Although it would make a decent static liveaboard and from what I can see it's only sinking because the cleats have been tourn off so it keeps filling with rain water. It wouldn't be too hard to refloat her and tow away.. (No we are not interested!!).

Nice to know you are enjoying poggymale. Don't worry I will keep these going and there will be plenty more pictures and videos If you do see us about certainly give us a good wave or come over and have a chat I love nattering lol

Sunday 7th May Sunday morning and I had to remember that Grandma was asleep in the dinette so there was no getting up early and going into there but thankfully she woke up early and was ready to get up and put the dinette back together. She was quick to say that she slept well and the bed was very comfortable and she liked the large double bed size. It was a lovely morning and the low tide which caused a few problems for ropes and water depth last night (In the end we had only 2 feet below us) wasn’t so low this morning. Looking at the tides we had to get to reedham early to get the low tide at reedham so we wasn’t beating any tide today. So it was a quick wake up, engine checks, engine on and away. Although everyone else had the same idea but thankfully they quickly run off and we was left to the river all to ourselves. Dave took the helm and me and Grandma sat on the aft bench seat and had a natter whilst enjoying the morning swallows doing their morning acrobatics, once again I don’t normally get to come off the helm and natter but it was a nice change and I really enjoyed it. Before we knew it was passing reedham ferry which was still fast asleep and indeed it was reassuring to see the river was slack. Grandma took the helm once again at the new cut and Dave volunteered to cook cheese on toast for breakfast. I was surprising comfortable with Grandma at the helm (even considering it was low tide) but she has a far bit of experience in helming boats and Orca steers really well. So me and Dave sat in the dinette and enjoyed Breakfast. At the end of the new cut there was a bit of a flood coming out the Waveney but Orca only needed a bit of revs and coped fine. We had a very relaxing cruise up the Waveney and up onto Oulton Broad. I retook the helm at oulton as the broad was full of those pesky rag and stick boats, which despite me employing my sailing boat experience and doing all I can keep out the way I swear some of these, considering the size of oulton broad (and n visibility of race markers) made the point of tacking right infront of me.. Stable course held we moored (eventually!) stern on at the YS. Grandma didn’t recognise oulton broad although we may never had stopped there with her before so we decided to have a walk around the path. She was enjoying so much we decided to stop off at the pub/restaurant beside the broadland holiday village (which is now certainly tingdene). It was nice.. sadly no wherry ale but they have adnams bitter. We all went for a Southern fried chicken baguette which was nice. Back to the boat after a couple of hours I went to pay the short stay fees and the harbour master already recognised Orca so it was a quick “Thanks, c ya soon! “. Dave wanted to get back to home but I wasn’t quite ready so we decided to stop off at the WRC, I remembered that we need to get something to the neighbour who was looking after the cat and remembered the little shop there. The WRC was jammed but lots of side moored day boats and the only spot was by the entrance and right behind a BA launch. I struggled to get a tight enough aim as the large berthed boats moored there were sticking out quite bit but after a couple of tries we made it. Off to the shops , Grandma didn’t quite recognise it although remembers where the old shop used to be. We found some gifts and Grandma treated us all to an ice-cream which we enjoyed on the boat. Sadly the BA launch wasn’t in the mood for talking or even acknowledging so I didn’t bother (If anyone things they are superior these are the guys (Sorry but I’ve never spoken to normal friendly ranger)). Thankfully they left given me plenty of space to spin around (annoyingly easier now?!) and we was quickly back in the marina. Car loaded, the end of relaxing little break. Grandma agreed that it’s a strange feeling; it felt like we was away for 4 days not two and like us she really enjoyed the weekend. Thankfully the boat really did work with the four of us and it didn’t feel cramped at all so Grandma will be back soon.

Hi Jim, This thread may be of interest: In the end we went with 16mm (3 ply black) lines (for our 28 foot boat) but as in that post we found they are nice to handle. 2 x 10 meter bow lines we we leave on the side decks so they are easy to grab when coming into a mooring. (We went for a longer line than the boat mainly because we feel it's helpful to spin the boat on ropes and because we have an outdrive as so if they get caught round the prop we can "fix".. although we carefully position the ends in the cockpit so we can see them). and 5 meters each for the 2 stern lines. I personally wouldn't go any lower than 12mm and be aware the made up mooring lines with a loop may have a somewhat pointlessly large loop.. so you may find it helpful to do a simple bowline loop yourself to fit your cleats.

Clear you temp settings. Restart your browser.. Make sure you have no Java updates to do. Erm lol (any other ideas guys??)

I must admit guys this isn't quite going the way I thought it would... Please keep it friendly.

Brilliant Robin. Thanks for publishing... Leave the poor old BMC's alone... New rubber feet (service!), bin the hydraulics, and some sound proofing and she will beat of of those stupid foreign folklift engines! (Clive next time you must have a nice 3 cyclinder engined boat for him?!!). Oh and I do like (love!) the idea of the loud siren.. wonder if I can get one that plays the jaws theme.. hmm!!

Have you tried restarting your pc? and Do a print screen so I can see what you are seeing. Both are working for me (for once).

Have a brilliant trip Iain..!! Stay away from the pubs we all really know it was a pub brawl and not Clives poor boat

Got ya! lol (Rather sadly John I did think of changing yacht clubs to be able to fly a defaced blue but it's not worth the hassle. I was also told I would be disowned by several friends as these clubs strangely are a bit snotty and have a bit of a bad reputation). Anyway I think it's nice to see lots of different flags about.. .

Looking good though JA.. Brings back some memories ... We've been there before.. This was my last baby "Jessica".. She's all good though but with a new home.. Orca being plastic means I can now sleep at night lol

Yeah come on JA.. Share some pictures of your current state...

Thanks JA! Geez no pressure there though! But I'll make sure my camera gear is all there and ready... Hopefully I can capture the moment.. although you woodies are so picturesque even on a dull day.

"Grandma's First Weekend" 6th June 2015. Leaving home early we made the drive into London to pick up Dave’s mum (who will be called Grandma from here on – Yup she likes being called grandma!). Living in London grandma loves getting up to Norfolk and we do try to take her up quite a bit. Grandma thrown in the car we got the hell out of London. Arriving in the boat yard just before lunch as usual. It was clear it was lovely day but a bit windy which meant Orca wasn’t behaving herself. The plan was either Beccles or Loddon but looking at the tides it was clear it was Loddon! Slipping the moorings and right out the boat yard, I quickly gave grandma the helm! She did really well all the way down to the new cut. I had to briefly take over where Haddiscoe bridge makes the cut narrow up as a large cruiser was coming through so we had to throttle back and try and sit there in the wind.. Thankfully they quickly came through. Grandma took the helm and did a very good job at steering through the new cut. We quickly arrived at the Reedham junction and thankfully the tide was flowing in meaning we had a nice flow behind us. I retook the helm and reduced the throttle pretty much to idle whilst the boat still raced through, although just as we approached the bridge I saw a gym palace trying its luck, although with the current behind me (and thus the right of way) I sounded a long blast on the air horn, thankfully the gym palace realised it was Orca or death, so he eased back and gave us the way (Yup he really had little choice!), the usual wave and smiles were exchanged. Quickly passing Reedham whilst Grandma recollected the times we spent there. Reedham ferry was quickly upon us and thankfully the Ferry was docked. We continued on the Yare up to Cantley where it was wind on tide and some good sized waves which I’ve not seen before. The boats on the moorings where being thrown around and I struggled to come alongside, after a few attempts found a sheltered spot behind a gym palace and did a crafty parallel reverse to slot in behind. Thankfully it was sheltered and Orca sat there comfortably. Into the Reedcutters for lunch, thankfully the lunch menu isn’t too huge but a good lunch was had and as usual friends were made with the dogs enjoying the pub and the several locals. The wind and current was pretty much equal when we left so it meant leaving the mooring was easy. As it was still early we said to Grandma we would stop of at Hadley windmill (pump- mill mentioned from here on for ease of understanding) which was gracefully turning in the brisk wind. It took a bit of effort to moor up as the wind was beam which basically meant it was pushing the boat away from the mooring but eventually I had to steer directly towards the mooring and hope for the best.. Thankfully a kind chap already moored up grabbed the lines and like a pro and quickly got us secured before Orca’s second mate could assist. Hadley mill is amazing. Like many we have stopped at Horsey mill, Thurne Mill and Stacey, although all amazing and real broadland landmarks, Hadley is the best and to see it running is truly amazing. We had been before but it was still a really interesting time being guided around the mill by an enthused and knowledgeable volunteer from the charity running the mill. A few pictures taken and a healthy donation left we departed.. The wind helping us leave the mooring with little input from the helm . The Loddon turn off was soon with us and the current was thankfully now behind us (yup I’m getting the most of these tides!). The gopro was on and the video below will show the windy trip down the Chet. Sadly I had to put a bit more power on to get safely around the bends. But it was a nice trip up the chet as usual. Sadly there was no talkative boaties at the staithe (I do miss chatting to people) so it was a walk around and dinner in the White horse as usual. We had a good old natter to Grandma before falling asleep.